Paralegal Program

The paralegal degree program at John Tyler Community College teaches students to perform legal research, as well as drafting, investigatory record-keeping, and other administrative functions related to the legal system. Students who graduate the program will perform these functions under the supervision of an attorney or in a court and will gain instruction from the program in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and other legal specializations. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer paralegal program.

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John Tyler Community College (JMU)

800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA

About
John Tyler Community College, Located in Chester Virginia, is one of the 21 schools that comprise the Virginia Community College System. The approval to found the school was given in 1965 when the cities of Hopewell, Colonial Heights and Petersburg, and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Prince George, Dinwiddie, and Sussex submitted a proposal for the establishment and construction of a technical college to service the region. The name was chosen in honor of the tenth president of the United States, a Virginia native from the region. Since its founding the school has grown exponentially in student enrollment and size, having added three additional campuses to meet service and educational demands of the community. The school is dedicated to providing students the best in service, having grown alongside the community and working hard to meet the communities needs.

Academics
John Tyler Community College offers a variety of programs  career training and academic transfer opportunities. These programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in either an associate degree or certificate.

Career training programs provide education in a particular field, teaching the skills and abilities necessary to perform as a professional within the field's workplace. Students participate in practical courses as well as more traditional classroom educations, the variety and frequency of which is dependant upon the student's chosen field. When the program is completed the student's degree or certificate will allow for the immediate pursuit of employment at the entry level. Most programs offered reflect community needs.

Academic transfer programs provide the opportunity to complete the freshman and sophomore years of a four year education, followed by the applying for transfer to a four year institution to pursue the completion of a bachelor's degree. Public schools within Virginia will have agreements in place with the Virginia Community College System facilitating transfer, though students may choose to apply to private or out of state schools. Students should meet with an academic advisor to plan their transfer curriculum to best suit the school or school's desired by the student.

Programs offered include:

• Business Administration
• General Education
• Liberal Arts
• Accounting
• Nursing

Admissions
As an open enrollment institution, any student who meets the minimum standards for admission will be able to enroll at John Tyler Community College. Submission of a completed application for admission is required, along with transcripts from previous schools and standardized test scores. Students may be required to take a placement exam for general education courses. Students are encouraged to participate in orientation and meet with a counselor prior to registration. Course registration takes place before the start of each semester with tuition due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students requiring financial assistance must obtain a federal PIN and submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial needs, aid program eligibility and monetary awards. Student are required to reapply for financial aid prior to the start of each academic year, and it is important to note that due to federal requirements students may be asked to provide additional financial documentation to ensure the SAR's accuracy prior to the disbursement of funds. Students may also apply for external scholarships awarded for a variety of reasons, such as academic merit, cultural ties, financial need and more.

Clubs and Organizations
John Tyler Community College encourages the participation of students in one or more of the recognized clubs and organizations available at the school. Students will find that these organizations provide students with the opportunity to meet like minded individuals and socialize. Clubs and organizations typically focus on academic, cultural, social and extracurricular topics. Students who do not find a club that meets their interests may apply to the college to start their own.

Clubs and organizations include:

• Art Club
• History Club
• Film Club
• Future Teacher's Club
• Student Nurses Association

Students Enrolled in the Paralegal Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. John Tyler Community College offers a less than one year certificate program in paralegal.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Description

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, paralegals and legal assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Harrisonburg, VA
  • Total Employment: 110
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.22
  • Average Annual Salary: $37910

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Description

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, title examiners, abstractors, and searchers employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -0.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Harrisonburg, VA
  • Average Hourly Rate: $21.29
  • Average Annual Salary: $44280

Legal Support Workers, All Other

Description

All legal support workers not listed separately.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).